DUNES SUMMER THEATRE
Box Office 219.879.7509

1776 the Musical  (June 29 to July 15)
Show Dates: 
7:30 pm cdt: June 29, 30, July 6, 7, 13, 14
2:00 pm cdt: July 1,8, 15 
Photos by Kathy Bouman

 DIRECTOR’S NOTES

     Presenting a theatre show is always an adventure in optimism for any organization. Here at the Dunes Summer Theatre it is an even greater challenge as the season of back-to-back-to-back-etc. shows present extreme pressure and difficulty for the tech staff to change gears and within a very short of a week or to create an entirely

different world of ‘costumes, lights and set’. Three little words that demand hundreds of hours to accomplish. Next, assembling a large cast before rehearsals begin is rare. Adding members along the way creates difficulty in the rehearsal process that is surmounted by the concentrated efforts of newer cast as they are added. Finally, the

musicians are added to the mix and for the final week of rehearsal,as well as, finalizing many technical aspect of performance that

require working late into the night. And all cast members and musicians have day jobs AND family responsibilities as well. For that reason, I salute the enormous efforts of the tech staff, musicians and cast members of 1776. I thank the many members of this cast and other theatre friends who have contributed resources and information which has created this wave of energy resulting in the performance you are about to see. Enjoy!

 

George Maslankowski, Director
1776
(JUNE 29 - JULY 15)
Music and Lyrics by Sherman Edwards
Based on a Book by Peter Stone

Celebrate the 4th of July with us!
     1776 relates the humorous saga, aided by song and dance, of our forefathers debating whether or not to write and ratify a Declaration of Independence from England. John Adams is the main force behind the “pro” faction. The story begins in the torrid Philadelphia summer of 1776 and takes us through the protracted political wrangling. It shows us the humanness and personal foibles of men such as John Adams, John Hancock, and Benjamin Franklin. The story ends as the famous "Liberty Bell" rings for the first time ever on July 4, 1776! Won the Tony Award for Best Musical in 1969

 

Original Broadway production won three Tony's.

Director:  George Maslankowski
Musical Director:  Bev Griffith
Choreography: Larry Payne
The Continental Congress of 1776 at the Dunes:
(l to r) Pat Lewis as John Dickinson, Stewart Beach as Ben Franklin, Geoff Bach as Thomas Jefferson, and Luke Bouman as Samuel Adams

     Representatives from the 13 colonies meet in the blistering heat of Philadelphia in the summer of 1776.  They must decide whether or not to declare independence from England. If they decide "yes", they are forcing a war with England on George Washington and his unprepared troops.  You will feel like you are there, listening to their opposing opinions--to declare or not to declare!--and other less weighty matters as well, such as whether or not alcohol should be allowed while the Congress is in session.This musical production brings out the humanity and amusing foibles of these forefathers--as you watch them talk, sing, and even dance. (Who would have guessed!) The play was first produced on Broadway in 1969 and won three Tony awards:  for Best Musical, Best Director, and Best Featured Actor. 

 THE SONGS

  

Overture

 "Sit Down, John" – Adams and Congress

"Piddle, Twiddle and Resolve"/"Till Then" – Adams

     "Till Then" – John and Abigail Adams

  "The Lees of Old Virginia" – Lee, Franklin and Adams

  "But, Mr. Adams" – Adams, Franklin, Jefferson, Sherman and Livingston

"Yours, Yours, Yours" – John and Abigail Adams

   "He Plays the Violin" – Martha Jefferson, Franklin and Adams

     "Cool, Cool, Considerate Men" – Dickinson and The Conservatives

     "Mama Look Sharp" – Courier, McNair and Leather Apron

    "The Egg" – Franklin, Adams and Jefferson

     "Molasses to Rum" – Rutledge

   "Compliments" – Abigail Adams

 "Is Anybody There?" – Adams

 Finale
(l to r) Maggie Reister-Walters as Abagail Adams and Luke Bauman as John Adams.